The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-10-19
A Story for Boys.

We copy from the Medfeld Mass.
Bulletin the following sketch con-
tributed to that paper by Miss Mabel
Gates of Needham, little girl of thir-
teen years:
" Halloo, you red-headed APPEL" cried
Henry Marks. " How are your potatoes
getting along?" Frank Wilton deigned
no answer to this insolent question, and
one would have thought he had not
heard it but for the angry flush on his
face.
Henry, if l were you 1 would try to
learn some Manners" said Tom
Marshall, in sarcastic voice. cts
perfectly disgraceful! Before l would
torment the little boys"
Tom Marshall was the greatest tease
in the school and was always torment
ing the little boys. Frank had once or
twice spoken to him, and had said the
very words Tom had just repeated.
Frank hurried into the school, and
while he is studying his lessons / will
give you part of his history. He was
the son of a poor man, who was the
! shoe-cobbler of the village. Quite often
Frank had earned a few dimes for
books and other things by digging po-
tatoes. In the beginning of this story
Henry Marks called him a red-headed
ape. But he was anything but what
Henry called him. He had very
manly and noble face. He was every
| inch a gentleman and would not hurt
a fly. But because his parents were
poor he was sighted by the other bows.
This made him feel badly, but, instead
OF brooding over this, he attended all
the more to his lessons and stood at
the head of his class.
But of all boys Frank disliked most
was John Milford. He was the son of
! Squire Milford, the richest man in
Riverdale, and Franks rival in the
class at school. He did everything he
could to provoke Frank, and that morn
ing he was worse than ever. 1t was
the day that the scholars were to have
spelling-match, and Mr.. Richards
was to give a medal to the smartest
scholar.
John went out into the yard and be-
gan to boast, saying: 81 know l will
get it," But, instead of boasting,
Frank studied his lesson over and over
again.
Several people had heard of the
spelling-match and quite a number
came. The class was called up and the
usual number of failures were made.
Frank and John had not failed and
were the only ones left standing John
swelled visibly with pride and cast
contemptuous look on Frank
"Spell the word prosecuted, john"
said Mr.. Richards, the teacher.
Prosecuted, p-r-o-s-i-c-u-t-e-d. prose-
cuted," spelled John, and when he fin
ished he smiled complacently at the
scholars. But the teachers next words
showed him that pride always goes be-
fore fall.
Wrong. Spell it, Frank" Frank
spelled it right, and with modest blush
took the silver medal. When he left
the school he went to dig some potatoes
at Farmer Smiths. As he left the
school John shook his fist behind
Franks back, muttering: "See if
don't pay you for thisn
Twilight had just begun to fall when
Frank started to 90 home with his
wheelbarrow full of potatoes, which he
had received in payment. He had Just
got on to the middle of the foot-plank
over the stream, when a horrid crash
ing of boughs and a splash near at
hand startled him.
He heard cry of ''Save me! save
me-" and saw black head sink be-
meath the water. He needed no second
bidding, and, diving into the river.
pulled out John Milford. But he did
not stop to think how John had leased
him, but put him in the wheelbarrow
and trundled him to his home.
The next morning knock was heard
at Mr.. Wilton's door, and there stood
John Milford, as sheepish and shame
faced boy as there ever was.
Frank, will you forgive me?" he
asked. 81 have tormented you and
plagued you, but / will never do it
again. Last night l was trying to
Brighten you, but instead / tumbled in
and would have drowned but for you.
Will you forgive me?"
" Certainly, certainly; don't think
anything more about it," said Frank.
Let's 90 to school now"
"All right" said John; and that
recess, when Frank was absent, he
called the boys together that he usually
played with and told them about
Franks noble kindness.
And now," said he, "we have all
treated him badly. l accidentally
learned that his birthday is next
wednesday. Let's give him a surprise
party"
Hurrahl hurrah hurrahv' cried
the boys, "just the thing"
=" I'm going to give him present."
said Tom Marshall.
" will, too" cried several of the
other boys, and while they are planning
some pleasant surprises for Frank /
will leave them until some other day.
~ TuE moon of Mahnmet arosn nnd